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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith insists he isn't going to 'make any excuses' for his players as they return to Premier League action against Man City for the first time since Covid-19 outbreak infected NINE first-team players

Daily Mail | January 19, 2021

Related Topics: Aston Villa F.C., Manchester City F.C., Dean Smith, Premier League, COVID-19, Ross Barkley, Bodymoor Heath, Liverpool F.C., Ollie Watkins, Everton F.C.

Dean Smith admits Aston Villa were taken aback by the speed of the coronavirus outbreak at the club but doesn't want to 'make any excuses' ahead of a tough fixture against Manchester City.

Villa return to Premier League action at City on Wednesday for the first time since New Year's Day.

Nine players and five staff tested positive for Covid-19 and the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground was closed.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish trains ahead of his side's return to action on Wednesday night
Villa striker Ollie Watkins (centre) will be expected to lead the line against Manchester City
Ross Barkley is also fully fit and could make his first start for Villa since late November

'Experience has taught us that it can hit you very quickly, but I'm very thankful that our doctor was quick to deal with it,' Smith was quoted as saying on the official Villa website.

See full article at Daily Mail